Corinne Ann Dickson (1928-2016)
Corinne Ann Dickson, 88, of Beacon, died Dec. 7, 2016, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.
Born Sept. 23, 1928 in Elmira, she was the daughter of Vincent O’Herron and Mary E. Morrissey. She married Roy E. Dickson, who died in 1991.
Corinne was a retired correctional officer at the Fishkill Correctional Facility. She was a member of The Gadabouts of Fishkill, the only remaining original member of St. John’s Exercise Program, a member of St. John’s Seniors, Sisters of the Cornerstone and St. Joachim’s-St. John’s Church.
Her survivors include her Gary J. Dickson (Bruce Brown) of San Francisco; a daughter, Ann Dickson (Susan Kennedy) of White Plains; and a brother, John “Jack” O’Herron (Ceci) of Florida.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 10 at St. Joachim’s Church, with burial at Fishkill Rural Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made St. Joachim’s-St. John’s Church, 31 Willow St., Beacon, NY 12508.
Ivan Finkle (1923-2016)
Ivan Finkle, 93, of West Hartford, Connecticut, died on Dec. 12, 2016, with his family by his side. Born in Beacon on October 20, 1923 to Louis W. and Pauline (Sandler) Finkle, he graduated from Weaver High School in Hartford. He was married to Barbara Jainchill for 67 years.
Too young to enlist in the Army, he left school for employment with Colt Firearms to contribute to the war effort. In November 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was trained as an airborne radio operator, and earned his wings as an aerial gunner. As a member of the B-17 bomber crew, he was assigned to the 388th Bomb Group, with his aircraft named, “Blitzing Betsy.” On Ivan’s 22nd mission, he was shot down over Holland. He was one of six survivors and became a prisoner of war.
After the war, he went on to retire from the Air Force Reserve as a Captain. Decorations include Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, POW medal, European Theatre of Operations with Two Bronze Battle Stars and the American Defense Medal.
Ivan purchased The Sisson Tavern in 1959 and operated it for 33 years. He was a founding member of The Jewish Community Group of Wethersfield, that eventually became Temple Beth Torah. Ivan served as a president to both congregations. Later, he and his wife were members of Congregation Teferes Israel for over 40 years. As a private pilot, he enjoyed many hours in the air, especially when taking his two young sons for flight. Ivan and his wife enjoyed square dancing and were often the center of attention on the dance floor.
He is survived by brother Samuel Finkle and sons Paul Finkle (Susan) and Stephen Finkle. He also is survived by his grandson Daniel Finkle (Julie) and three granddaughters: Hannah, Rachel and Eliza.
A funeral was held graveside on Dec. 14 at the Teferes Israel Cemetery in East Granby, Connecticut. Memorial donations may be made to the Barbara and Ivan Finkle Endowment Fund c/o Greater Hartford Jewish Federation, or Hebrew Health Care.
Zofia Kochay (1923-2016)
Zofia (Dokurno) Kochay, 93, of Beacon, died at her home under hospice care on Dec. 8, 2016.
She was born in Poland on Oct. 5, 1923, the daughter of Kazimierz and Ludwika (Lyfkowska) Dokurno. After arriving in the U.S., she worked at Excelsior Beacon Corp. She married Joseph V. Kochay at St. Joachim Church in Beacon.
Zofia is survived by a sister-in-law, Helena Timmons, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 12 at St. Joachim Church, with burial following in the family plot.
